Food Service Operators Licensure Status: Implication for Food Safety in Ghana

Abstract

The regulation (governance) of the business of food service operators (FSOs) by the state is important to consumer food safety. However, not very much is understood of the level of acceptance of this task among FSOs. The aim of this study was to examine FSOs licensure status and its impact on consumer food safety. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design with a convenient sampling technique was used to select 285 FSOs from the 16 communities in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The data collected was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed a high awareness of license acquisition, low level of acquired license, lack of knowledge on when to acquire license and from the appropriate agencies among FSOs. Further, FSOs awareness influenced their license acquisition. Number of years in business also influenced FSOs awareness of license acquisition but not their attitude towards license acquisition. Hence, a potential adverse implication for safe food delivery. The findings provide theoretical and practical implications for all stakeholders in the food service industry. Food safety regulators, academia and media houses should intensify their education of FSOs and the general public on the need for licensing and purchasing food from only licensed operators.